-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Its record on dealing with racist abuse has been mixed and now Russia has been urged by a leading anti-apartheid activist to show a tougher approach to the issue ahead of hosting the 2018 World Cup .

The man who led South Africa 's successful World Cup bid in 2010 , Danny Jordaan wants Russia to start implementing life bans for any players or individuals found guilty of racism within football .

`` Given our own history as South Africa as a country and given our struggle against apartheid and racism ... this is an issue that Russia must give serious attention to , '' Jordaan told CNN 's Amanda Davies .

In the past , Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko has insisted there is no major racism problem in the country , though earlier this month FC Rostov coach Igor Gamula said he did want to sign a Cameroonian because the club has `` enough dark-skinned players , we 've got six of the things . ''

Gamula , who apologized for his comments , was given a five-game ban .

During this season 's Champions League leading Russian club CSKA Moscow has had to play its games behind closed doors because of fan abuse toward black players . That punishment was handed out by European governing body UEFA .

And in an interview with the Associated Press , FIFA anti-racism adviser Tokyo Sexwale suggested black players might even boycott the 2018 World Cup , saying `` there are certain parts -LSB- of Moscow where -RSB- if you are my color it 's unsafe . ''

Jordaan , who began to campaign against apartheid in the 1970s , argued there should be `` no compromise '' on the issue of racism in football .

`` You 've already seen the response from some of the leading players on the African continent , '' said Jordaan .

`` We will certainly , at the level of the Confederation of African Football and FIFA , raise these issues because we can not see the same teams there that will be subjected to racial abuse and threats . ''

Jordaan pointed to the NBA 's leadership in dealing with Los Angeles Clippers co-owner Donald Sterling , banning him for life after privately taped racist remarks were leaked to celebrity website TMZ.com .

`` In our own country we opposed both legislation and the conduct of racists in our country -- they must be confronted , '' added Jordaan , referring to his own country 's history in dealing with apartheid .

`` It must be dealt with severely . There must be decisive and very strong action .

`` Such individuals certainly have no right to take charge of human-beings if the understanding is not that every human-being has equal worth . There are no players and things in the same team -- it 's just unacceptable . ''

Earlier in November , the head of FIFA 's disciplinary committee Claudio Sulser insisted the world governing body would deal with any racism at the World Cup .

Russia 's 2018 Local Organizing Committee was not immediately available for comment .

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Russia should impose life bans on anyone found guilty of racist abuse in football

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Call comes from leading anti-apartheid activist Danny Jordaan

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Jordaan led South Africa 's successful 2010 World Cup bid

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Argues there should be `` no compromise '' on the issue of racist abuse in football